Praise be to the God and Father of of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
I have to admit, I love comfort. I know that God is the God of all comfort. I even thank Him for my bed, my pillow, my blanket, etc. (I do love my sleep) I even pray for those who don’t have any of those things. I worry about those without a coat or other warm garments and other necessities. I want them to be comfortable. Like me. And then I read the verse again and realize I don’t get it.
After this whole Coronavirus outbreak, I have to admit - my comfort zone was wrecked a bit. I had a thought of “I want to go home!” but quickly realized that would be the worst thing I could do. Traveling back to the states when several travelers were getting sick and taking it home to my mom would be pretty selfish of me. And then I felt God’s comfort of knowing we were to stay right where we were. God Himself would use us here during this mess so we could comfort those with the same comfort He gives us. And I realized it’s not about the comfy mattress or pillow. It’s about the suffering.
I have sat here wondering if I can talk about this. Suffering. Do I want to suffer? NO WAY! Have I suffered in my life? Yes. Have I been able to comfort those who have gone through what I had? Yes. A resounding yes. But it doesn’t mean I want to suffer more. The thought of getting a virus that could put me in the hospital here scares me. The thought of being put in a hotel for “supervision” because I have symptoms scares me. The thought of someone coming to my apartment to test me after testing several others who might have the virus scares me.
And you know what? God’s word has 365 verses about every day that I have fear. “Be strong and courageous.” God comforted me with the fact that my days are in His hands. If he takes me home or allows me to catch this virus, then He allows it. I’ve had scarlet fever, pneumonia, been sick with fevers more than a dozen times, had surgeries, bad chicken pox, etc. and you know what? God was with me EVERY single time. And I am still here. One day, He will take me home to be with Him forever. I find such incredible comfort in that. And I know that He is in charge of all my days. So friends, take comfort in the fact that God will never leave you nor forsake you. Even if you catch a virus.
This fact does not diminish the pain of loss and suffering. The pain is real and people are dying. Healthy people. Not healthy people. Rich people. Poor people. Middle class people. Young. Old. I wish I could tell you that you won’t get it. I wish I could say I won’t get it. I wish I could comfort you in that you will live through it if you do get it. But the only comfort that I know is True and Real is that God is with you.
My question to you is, Are you with Him? He created you and me for fellowship. He longs to spend time with YOU, His creation. I ask you, I beg you to cry out to Jesus today and tell Him all your worries, your fears, your thanks, your happy times, your sad times, EVERYTHING. He listens. He HEARS. This is real comfort to me. Praying it will be for you as well. Comfort is knowing He loves you. Nothing can change that. But one day you will stand before Him and will He have known you?
Jeremiah 29:12-13 “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Mathew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’